Perspective Amazon Kindle Fire buyer question

jbcohen · 12-01-2011, 10:11 AM

Do any of you miss not being able to get apps from the android apps store? I'm considering buying a fire, however I do not like the proprietary aspect of the fire although that may not be much of a barrier since there are so many apps already available. I have seen an article on PC World that shows how to jailbreak the fire and instal android market place on it.

What is your opinion about the proprietary nature of the fire?

weatherman · 12-01-2011, 10:24 AM

As someone new to Android, but a (former) user of the iPad, I have to say I'm mixed about the lack of access to the market.

I like the fact that the Amazon App Store is so tightly integrated in to the Fire, and that the apps that are in there are (generally) compatible with the Fire so I don't have to waste my time with apps that are out of date or incompatible for some reason. And I find the selection fairly good from the start, and I think it's only likely to get better - developer interest in the Amazon App Store is very high because of the millions of Fire's sold, so there will be a lot of apps added between now and x-mas for sure.

What I don't like is that there are some pretty important apps that aren't yet available in the Amazon store. Specifically for me there were two apps I absolutely needed; the NY Times app and Pogoplug. I was able to download both from other sources, and side-load them easily without jailbreaking, but finding them wasn't easy. Actually the Pogoplug app turned out to be incompatible, so that actually supports my first point.

Ultimately I think this is a temporary issue; most of the really good stuff will end up in the Amazon App Store and there will be tons of crap stuff too, but at least it will be working crap stuff. For those who are more inclined to mess with non-mainstream apps, side-loading is easy enough to do without jailbreaking, and if you need to you can get the Android Market on the Fire pretty easily now (apparently using SuperOneClick works) but frankly I'm not sure I see the need at this point.

EDIT: Just to be clear, you don't actually need to "jailbreak" the fire to get apps from other places - they can be easily loaded by USB. The only problem is that the Fire doesn't have direct access to the Market, so if they Fire is your only Android device you have to find the apps in other places. If you already have an active Market account, it is my understanding that you can use that account to download apps to your PC and then transfer them to your Fire without any problem.

arcadata · 12-01-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Do any of you miss not being able to get apps from the android apps store?

You can side-load and install apps that are not in the Amazon app store, so it's mostly an inconvenience, really.

carld · 12-01-2011, 10:34 AM

The lack of direct market access hasn't been much of a problem yet. I was able to sideload Dropbox, Youtube and a couple of other apps that I really wanted. There are a few things I wish Amazon carried, like extra maps for Age of Conquest, but nothing major for me personally.

monkeyluis · 12-01-2011, 12:39 PM

I've never used the android market. Amazon has enough for me as the Kimdle fire is not my primary tablet (really, so I need more than one? Lol!!) I have plenty of apps on my iPad & don't want to re-buy any apps if I don't need too. & as ores said you can still sideload. I like the security & quality control at the amazon app store provides. Plus I don't have to creat another account & give out my credit card again. One downside that others have said is that you may not necessarily have the latest app update also. That's ok for me because like I said I'm not in much of a hurry to have many apps.

One other thing to think about. Imagine the tide turning because of the popularity of the fire now. Developers will be submitting to the amazon app store quicker & amazon will work to ensure quick updates. I'm assuming of course. Lol.

janicew · 12-01-2011, 01:19 PM

It hasn't been a problem for me at all either. The fact that you can sideload apps very easily (and super thanks to everyone for the great info here) makes it a non-issue in my mind. I've only run into one or two apps that don't seem to work, even sideloaded, and as others have said, the Amazon Marketplace is going to grow quickly with the popularity of the Fire.

foreverjuly · 12-01-2011, 01:36 PM

Getting apps from other places isn't really a problem. Just takes another step or two. No big deal.

gilly78201 · 12-01-2011, 01:55 PM

I'm glad we can sideload. if we couldn't, then I'd be annoyed

pagansoul · 12-01-2011, 02:56 PM

Apple has pretty much spoiled me when it comes to apps and ease of use but I'm very happy with my Fire, it's my first android product through I've been told it acts more like iOS than a Droid. I loaded the SlideMe App so I could get more Apps then the tiny collection Amazon has for the fire. I still play my Monopoly on my iPad and don't plan to buy the Fire app of the game anytime soon.

Blossom · 12-01-2011, 03:48 PM

There are plenty other markets out there you can get your apps from.
See this thread here So lack of the Official Market is not a problem really.

bjones6416 · 12-02-2011, 02:59 PM

I'm not finding it a problem at all, but then I've had an Android phone for a couple of years so if I need an app I just download it onto my phone, back it up using ES File Explorer, and then either share it thru that or put it into Dropbox. This is my sister's first Android experience, though, and she's having a little more difficulty figuring out how to obtain and sideload apps since she doesn't have another Android device.

Blog Kindle · 12-03-2011, 03:22 AM

While this problem is not specific to Fire, there is a more general problem related to Android software markets. Since there are so many of them apps tend to move from one another or completely disappear as developers opt to sell the app directly. So several apps that I purchased some time ago on my Android Phone are not on the market any more so I can't install them on my KF without paying again.

Wolfram Alpha is still on Android Market but is considered incompativle with KF. The same app is available though amazon market for the same $3 it is somehow majically compatible so I have to pay again for the app that I've already purchased.

For all Apples shortcomings, such problem is non-existent there in principle

Blossom · 12-03-2011, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blog Kindle

While this problem is not specific to Fire, there is a more general problem related to Android software markets. Since there are so many of them apps tend to move from one another or completely disappear as developers opt to sell the app directly. So several apps that I purchased some time ago on my Android Phone are not on the market any more so I can't install them on my KF without paying again.

Wolfram Alpha is still on Android Market but is considered incompativle with KF. The same app is available though amazon market for the same $3 it is somehow majically compatible so I have to pay again for the app that I've already purchased.

For all Apples shortcomings, such problem is non-existent there in principle

This is why it's good to back up your apps. I backup my apps using ES File Explorer. You can then install them on any device it will work on. If it's one thing buying ebooks has taught me. Backup your stuff you never know when something will be come unavailable.

robertc88 · 12-03-2011, 11:10 AM

Seems I'm ok with androidpit with downloading apk files and installing them. I can find them on my KF's app list afterwards.

I have tried freewarelovers as well for the google map app, it downloads and installs but I chose not to open it directly when prompted. I closed out and I'm also able to find it on my KF's app list.

So to the OP, if I can do this as a trial I guess I'm not missing anything (at least not yet).

osnova · 12-03-2011, 11:55 AM

For me the lack of access was more than an inconvenience. I also didn't want to make extra steps each time. So, I rooted my Fire and installed Android Market. Then I used OTA Rootkeeper to restore Amazon Video. Now I have Nook and many other apps installed. The only issue is that the icons for Market apps look bad because they are resized to Fire's larger icon size.

12-01-2011, 10:11 AM	#1
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	Perspective Amazon Kindle Fire buyer question Do any of you miss not being able to get apps from the android apps store? I'm considering buying a fire, however I do not like the proprietary aspect of the fire although that may not be much of a barrier since there are so many apps already available. I have seen an article on PC World that shows how to jailbreak the fire and instal android market place on it. What is your opinion about the proprietary nature of the fire?

12-01-2011, 10:24 AM	#2
weatherman Addict Posts: 385 Karma: 1010052 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: (previous: Kindle 2, Kindle Fire) Kindle 4 WiFi, K3K, KPW	As someone new to Android, but a (former) user of the iPad, I have to say I'm mixed about the lack of access to the market. I like the fact that the Amazon App Store is so tightly integrated in to the Fire, and that the apps that are in there are (generally) compatible with the Fire so I don't have to waste my time with apps that are out of date or incompatible for some reason. And I find the selection fairly good from the start, and I think it's only likely to get better - developer interest in the Amazon App Store is very high because of the millions of Fire's sold, so there will be a lot of apps added between now and x-mas for sure. What I don't like is that there are some pretty important apps that aren't yet available in the Amazon store. Specifically for me there were two apps I absolutely needed; the NY Times app and Pogoplug. I was able to download both from other sources, and side-load them easily without jailbreaking, but finding them wasn't easy. Actually the Pogoplug app turned out to be incompatible, so that actually supports my first point. Ultimately I think this is a temporary issue; most of the really good stuff will end up in the Amazon App Store and there will be tons of crap stuff too, but at least it will be working crap stuff. For those who are more inclined to mess with non-mainstream apps, side-loading is easy enough to do without jailbreaking, and if you need to you can get the Android Market on the Fire pretty easily now (apparently using SuperOneClick works) but frankly I'm not sure I see the need at this point. EDIT: Just to be clear, you don't actually need to "jailbreak" the fire to get apps from other places - they can be easily loaded by USB. The only problem is that the Fire doesn't have direct access to the Market, so if they Fire is your only Android device you have to find the apps in other places. If you already have an active Market account, it is my understanding that you can use that account to download apps to your PC and then transfer them to your Fire without any problem. Last edited by weatherman; 12-01-2011 at 10:28 AM.

12-01-2011, 02:56 PM	#9
pagansoul Fanatic Posts: 509 Karma: 1098204 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Earth Device: iPhone5, iPad Gen3, Kobo, Kindle Fire, Kobo Vox. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7	Apple has pretty much spoiled me when it comes to apps and ease of use but I'm very happy with my Fire, it's my first android product through I've been told it acts more like iOS than a Droid. I loaded the SlideMe App so I could get more Apps then the tiny collection Amazon has for the fire. I still play my Monopoly on my iPad and don't plan to buy the Fire app of the game anytime soon. Last edited by pagansoul; 12-01-2011 at 02:58 PM.

12-03-2011, 11:10 AM	#14
robertc88 Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 1579999 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: none	Seems I'm ok with androidpit with downloading apk files and installing them. I can find them on my KF's app list afterwards. I have tried freewarelovers as well for the google map app, it downloads and installs but I chose not to open it directly when prompted. I closed out and I'm also able to find it on my KF's app list. So to the OP, if I can do this as a trial I guess I'm not missing anything (at least not yet). Last edited by robertc88; 12-03-2011 at 11:15 AM.

12-03-2011, 11:55 AM	#15
osnova Kindler of the Flame Posts: 582 Karma: 646016 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: US of A Device: K DX,3,KT,KP,KF, KFHD; Nook C, PRS600, iPad, Xoom, N900, N810, Zaurus	For me the lack of access was more than an inconvenience. I also didn't want to make extra steps each time. So, I rooted my Fire and installed Android Market. Then I used OTA Rootkeeper to restore Amazon Video. Now I have Nook and many other apps installed. The only issue is that the icons for Market apps look bad because they are resized to Fire's larger icon size. Last edited by osnova; 12-03-2011 at 11:59 AM.

12-01-2011, 10:34 AM	#4
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The lack of direct market access hasn't been much of a problem yet. I was able to sideload Dropbox, Youtube and a couple of other apps that I really wanted. There are a few things I wish Amazon carried, like extra maps for Age of Conquest, but nothing major for me personally.

12-01-2011, 12:39 PM	#5
monkeyluis Banned Posts: 725 Karma: 656644 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Central Florida Device: iPad "3", Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire, iPhone 4S	I've never used the android market. Amazon has enough for me as the Kimdle fire is not my primary tablet (really, so I need more than one? Lol!!) I have plenty of apps on my iPad & don't want to re-buy any apps if I don't need too. & as ores said you can still sideload. I like the security & quality control at the amazon app store provides. Plus I don't have to creat another account & give out my credit card again. One downside that others have said is that you may not necessarily have the latest app update also. That's ok for me because like I said I'm not in much of a hurry to have many apps. One other thing to think about. Imagine the tide turning because of the popularity of the fire now. Developers will be submitting to the amazon app store quicker & amazon will work to ensure quick updates. I'm assuming of course. Lol.

12-01-2011, 01:19 PM	#6
janicew Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 12 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Midwest Device: Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Fire	It hasn't been a problem for me at all either. The fact that you can sideload apps very easily (and super thanks to everyone for the great info here) makes it a non-issue in my mind. I've only run into one or two apps that don't seem to work, even sideloaded, and as others have said, the Amazon Marketplace is going to grow quickly with the popularity of the Fire.

12-01-2011, 01:36 PM	#7
foreverjuly Crank Up The Awesome! Posts: 315 Karma: 708054 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Japan Device: Kindle, Nook, iPhone	Getting apps from other places isn't really a problem. Just takes another step or two. No big deal.

12-01-2011, 01:55 PM	#8
gilly78201 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kindle fire	I'm glad we can sideload. if we couldn't, then I'd be annoyed

12-01-2011, 03:48 PM	#10
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	There are plenty other markets out there you can get your apps from. See this thread here So lack of the Official Market is not a problem really.

12-02-2011, 02:59 PM	#11
bjones6416 ↓↓ Skirt!! Earrings!! Posts: 3,394 Karma: 17432172 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia, USA Device: Acer netbook, JetBook Lite, Sony PRS-300, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire	I'm not finding it a problem at all, but then I've had an Android phone for a couple of years so if I need an app I just download it onto my phone, back it up using ES File Explorer, and then either share it thru that or put it into Dropbox. This is my sister's first Android experience, though, and she's having a little more difficulty figuring out how to obtain and sideload apps since she doesn't have another Android device.

12-03-2011, 03:22 AM	#12
Blog Kindle Addict Posts: 224 Karma: 25122 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 1/2/3/4/Touch/DX/Fire\|PRS-600/350\|Nook(color)\|iPad\|iPad2\|EVO 4G	While this problem is not specific to Fire, there is a more general problem related to Android software markets. Since there are so many of them apps tend to move from one another or completely disappear as developers opt to sell the app directly. So several apps that I purchased some time ago on my Android Phone are not on the market any more so I can't install them on my KF without paying again. Wolfram Alpha is still on Android Market but is considered incompativle with KF. The same app is available though amazon market for the same $3 it is somehow majically compatible so I have to pay again for the app that I've already purchased. For all Apples shortcomings, such problem is non-existent there in principle

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